The Rising Burden of Mental Health in America
- Jorge Petit
- Sep 4, 2025
- 2 min read
The 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) paints a sobering picture of the mental health landscape in the United States. While luckily, awareness seems to have expanded, the data still reveals that millions of adolescents and adults are living with untreated mental illness, and the system continues to struggle to meet the growing demand.
I am calling out the following data from the report that I find concerning and merit further attention and more focused interventions.
61.5 million adults (23.4%) experienced any mental illness (AMI).
14.6 million adults (5.6%) experienced a serious mental illness (SMI), conditions that substantially interfere with daily functioning.
Among adolescents aged 12–17, 15.4% (3.8 million) had a major depressive episode (MDE), and almost 3 out 4 reported severe impairment.
Close to half of adults with SMI had a co-occurring substance use disorder.
Mental illness remains a strong predictor of suicidal thoughts and behaviors — with 5.5% of adults and 10% of adolescents reporting serious suicidal ideation in 2024.
Only 22.9% of adults and 28.5% of adolescents received mental health services in the past year.
Among those with AMI, over half received care; among those with SMI, nearly 70% did.
This reality leaves millions without the care they need, revealing how stigma, affordability, service gaps, fragmented systems, and administrative burdens still stand in the way of meaningful access.
Why This Matters?
The impact of untreated mental illness extends far beyond the individual. It strains families and caregivers, undermines student achievement and workplace productivity, and drives higher costs. Left unaddressed, mental health conditions can escalate into crises that are harder — and more expensive — to manage. Recognizing mental health as a core public health priority is essential to building stronger, more resilient communities.
In order to effectively address the rising burden of mental health will require systemic change:
Expand early intervention in schools and pediatric care to detect and treat youth mental health conditions sooner.
Integrate care across behavioral and primary health systems to manage co-occurring disorders effectively.
Invest in workforce development to increase the supply of culturally responsive, trauma-informed providers.
Leverage technology such as telehealth, peer supports, and digital mental health tools to close access gaps.
Center equity by ensuring services reach historically marginalized populations disproportionately affected by untreated mental illness.
The data and findings from the NSDUH reveal that America’s mental health crisis is not just about rising prevalence — it speaks to the need for a concerted and integrated approach in how we to respond to these findings and the changes we need to make. Expanding access, reducing stigma, and building integrated, equitable systems of care are the foundations for a healthier, more resilient future for all of us.
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